Camera and a portable apparatus having a flat body

ABSTRACT

A camera including a camera body having a substantially flat shape, a photographing optical system configured to perform a photographing operation and accommodated in the camera body, the photographing optical system having a photographing optical axis in a direction perpendicular to a thickness direction of the camera body and a photographing object side plane, the photographing object side plane facing an object to be photographed when photographing, and a release button configured to activate the photographing operation of the photographing optical system provided on a side surface of the camera body corresponding with the photographing object side plane of the photographing optical system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. 2000-163736 filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Apr. 24, 2000.The contents of that application is hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Filed of the Invention

The present invention relates to a camera and a portable apparatushaving a photographing function.

2. Discussion of the Background

In recent years, electronic cameras called digital cameras have beenrapidly spreading. The digital cameras photograph an object with asolid-state photographing element such as a CCD (charge-coupled device)photographing element, obtain image data of a still image of the object,and digitally record the data in a small memory medium using, forexample, a flash memory or a video floppy disk. The inputting plane ofthe solid-state photographing element of digital cameras is smallrelative to an inputting plane of silver-salt film cameras, andtherefore it is relatively easy to reduce the size of the digitalcameras. The silver-salt film cameras have also progressed to be reducedin size by improvement of the optical systems.

FIG. 14 illustrates a background silver-salt camera. A camera body 101is shaped in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and constructed suchthat a photographing optical system 103 protrudes from a side surface ofthe camera body 101 in the thickness direction. The camera body 101formed in such a shape is generally held for photographing such that thephotographing optical axis of the photographing optical system 103 andthe longitudinal direction of the camera boy 101, that is a directionperpendicular to the optical axis, are both horizontal. In the camerabody 101 as described above, a release button 102 is arranged at anupper surface of the camera body 101 near a corner thereof when thecamera body 101 is held in a standard photographing posture asillustrated in FIG. 14.

The publication of Japanese Utility Model No. 2598790 describes aconstruction of a camera grip for a camera, in which separately from afirst release button, a second release button is provided on the grip.In the grip, a posture sensor is provided for detecting a slanted angleof the camera. The first and second release buttons are selectivelyswitched to be active by the posture sensor.

Recently, as cameras are continued to be made smaller and lighter, forexample, by employment of the electronics technology, cameras having aflat camera body as illustrated in FIG. 15 have increased. A camera ofFIG. 15 has a camera body 111 having a flat shape, and a photographingoptical axis A of a photographing optical system of the camera isarranged in parallel to a surface direction of the flat surface, i.e.,in the thickness direction of the flat camera body 111. Because such aflat camera is compressed in size, the camera occupies only a smallspace when being carried and is conveniently put in a bag or hung fromthe body, for example, the hand, the arm, the shoulder or the neck.Therefore, as the cameras are further reduced in size and become lighterin weight, camera bodies having a flat shape and a photographing opticalaxis of a photographing optical system arranged in parallel to a surfacedirection of the flat surface tend to increase. To photograph with sucha flat-shaped camera, the flat camera body 111 is held substantially ina horizontal position. A release button 112 to open and close a shutterfor the photographing operation is generally arranged on an uppersurface of the camera body 111 as the camera body 111 is horizontallyheld.

Because the release button 112 is arranged on an upper surface of theflat camera body 111 as described above, it is hard to bring the hand inclose contact with the camera body 111 to firmly hold the camera body111. Further, because the operation direction of the release button 112is perpendicular to the photographing optical axis, the operation of therelease button 112 is likely to cause the camera to be shaken, resultingin a blurred photograph.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a camera includes acamera body having a substantially flat shape, a photographing opticalsystem configured to perform a photographing operation and accommodatedin the camera body, the photographing optical system having aphotographing optical axis in a direction perpendicular to a thicknessdirection of the camera body and a photographing object side plane, thephotographing object side plane facing an object to be photographed whenphotographing, and a release button configured to activate thephotographing operation of the photographing optical system provided ona side surface of the camera body corresponding with the photographingobject side plane of the photographing optical system.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a camera includesa camera body having a substantially flat shape, a photographing opticalsystem configured to perform a photographing operation and accommodatedin the camera body, the photographing optical system having aphotographing optical axis in a direction perpendicular to a thicknessdirection of the camera body and a photographing object side plane, thephotographing object side plane facing an object to be photographed whenphotographing, a release button configured to activate the photographingoperation of the photographing optical system and provided on an uppersurface of the camera body, the upper surface facing upward when thephotographing optical axis of the photographing optical system ishorizontal and the photographing object side plane of the photographingoptical system is directed toward the object to be photographed, and agrip protruding from a bottom surface of the camera body, the bottomsurface facing downward when the photographing optical axis of thephotographing optical system is horizontal and the photographing objectside plane of the photographing optical system is directed toward theobject.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a cameraincludes a camera body having a substantially flat shape, aphotographing optical system configured to perform a photographingoperation and accommodated in the camera body, and a plurality ofrelease buttons each configured to activate the photographing operationof the photographing optical system.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method ofmaking a camera includes forming the camera body having a substantiallyflat shape, accommodating in the camera body a photographing opticalsystem configured to perform a photographing operation such that aphotographing optical axis thereof is arranged in a directionperpendicular to a thickness direction of the camera body, and arranginga release button configured to activate the photographing operation ofthe photographing optical system at a side surface of the camera bodycorresponding with a photographing object side plane of thephotographing optical system, the photographing object side plane facingan object to be photographed when photographing.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method ofmaking a camera includes forming a camera body having a substantiallyflat shape, accommodating in the camera body a photographing opticalsystem configured to perform a photographing operation such that aphotographing optical axis thereof is arranged in a directionperpendicular to a thickness direction of the camera body, arranging arelease button configured to activate the photographing operation of thephotographing optical system at an upper surface of the camera body, theupper surface facing upward when the photographing optical axis of thephotographing optical system is horizontal and a photographing objectside plane of the photographing optical system is directed toward anobject to be photographed, and providing a grip so as to protrude from abottom surface of the camera body, the bottom surface facing downwardwhen the photographing optical axis of the photographing optical systemis horizontal and the photographing object side plane of thephotographing optical system is directed toward the object.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a portableapparatus includes an apparatus body having a substantially flat shape,a photographing optical system configured to perform a photographingoperation and accommodated in the apparatus body, the photographingoptical system having a photographing optical axis in a directionperpendicular to a thickness direction of the apparatus body and aphotographing object side plane, the photographing object side planefacing an object to be photographed when photographing, and a releasebutton configured to activate the photographing operation of thephotographing optical system and provided on a side surface of theapparatus body corresponding with the photographing object side plane ofthe photographing optical system.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a portableapparatus includes an apparatus body having a substantially flat shape,a photographing optical system configured to perform a photographingoperation and accommodated in the apparatus body, the photographingoptical system having a photographing optical axis in a directionperpendicular to a thickness direction of the apparatus body and aphotographing object plane, the photographing object plane facing anobject to be photographed when photographing, a release buttonconfigured to activate the photographing operation of the photographingoptical system and provided on an upper surface of the apparatus body,the upper surface facing upward when the photographing optical axis ofthe photographing optical system is horizontal and the photographingobject side plane of the photographing optical system is directed towardthe object, and a grip protruding from a bottom surface of the apparatusbody, the bottom surface facing downward when the photographing opticalaxis of the photographing optical system is horizontal and thephotographing object side plane of the photographing optical system isdirected toward the object.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a portableapparatus includes an apparatus body having a substantially flat shape,a photographing optical system configured to perform a photographingoperation and accommodated in the apparatus body, and a plurality ofrelease buttons each configured to activate the photographing operationof the photographing optical system.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method ofmaking a portable apparatus includes forming the apparatus body having asubstantially flat shape, accommodating in the apparatus body aphotographing optical system configured to perform a photographingoperation such that a photographing optical axis thereof is arranged ina direction perpendicular to a thickness direction of the apparatusbody, and arranging a release button configured to activate thephotographing operation of the photographing optical system at a sidesurface of the apparatus body corresponding with a photographing objectside plane of the photographing optical system, the photographing objectside plane facing an object to be photographed when photographing.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method ofmaking a portable apparatus includes forming an apparatus body having asubstantially flat shape, accommodating in the apparatus body aphotographing optical system configured to perform a photographingoperation such that a photographing optical axis thereof is arranged ina direction perpendicular to a thickness direction of the apparatusbody, arranging a release button configured to activate thephotographing operation of the photographing optical system at an uppersurface of the apparatus body, the upper surface facing upward when thephotographing optical axis of the photographing optical system ishorizontal and a photographing object side plane of the photographingoptical system is directed toward the photographing object, thephotographing object side plane facing an object to be photographed whenphotographing, and providing a grip so as to protrude from a bottomsurface of the apparatus body, the bottom surface facing downward whenthe photographing optical axis is horizontal and the photographingobject side plane is directed toward the object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of theattendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the samebecomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera according to one embodiment ofthe present invention in a photographing state;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a camera according to another embodimentof the present invention in a photographing state;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a camera according to yet anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a camera according to still anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a camera according to still anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the camera in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a left side view of the camera in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a right side view of the camera in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a front side view of the camera in FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a back side view of the camera in FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the camera in FIG. 5;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of an upper surface of the camera in FIG. 5, witha display part of the camera opened;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a state of photographing at a low anglewith the camera in FIG. 5;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a background camera in a photographingstate; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another background camera in aphotographing state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, preferredembodiments of the present invention are described.

FIG. 1 illustrates a camera according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention in a photographing state. A camera 1 includes a camerabody 11 and a release button 12. The camera body 11 has a flatrectangular parallelepiped shape and includes functional parts of thecamera 1 including a photographing optical system 13. The photographingoptical system 13 is arranged such that a photographing optical axis (A)thereof is parallel to a flat surface of the camera body 11. That is,the photographing optical axis (A) is perpendicular to the thicknessdirection of the camera body 11 and the longitudinal direction of thecamera body 11. In photographing with the camera 1, the camera body 11is held substantially horizontal, as the incident side of thephotographing optical axis (A) of the photographing optical system isdirected to a photographing object. The release button 12 is arranged ona side surface of the camera body 11 corresponding with thephotographing object side plane of the photographing optical system. InFIG. 1, the release button 12 is arranged near the right side corner ofthe side surface of the camera body 11.

When the release button 12 is arranged as described above, the camerabody 11 is held by pressing and sandwiching a side edge part of the flatcamera body 11 from the upper and lower sides thereof, for example, withthe thumb, the middle finger, the medical finger and the little finger,such that the release button 12 can be operated by the first finger inthe direction substantially along the photographing optical axis (A).That is, the fingers holding the camera body 11 and the finger operatingthe release button 12 are separated from each other, such that thecamera body 11 can be firmly held by the holding fingers and thereby thecamera body 11 is prevented from being shaken when photographing, thusenabling stable and reliable photographing. Moreover, because therelease button 12 is operated in the direction along the photographingaxis (A), movement of the camera body 11 in a direction perpendicular tothe photographing optical axis (A) is less likely to occur, so that aclear photograph can be easily obtained.

FIG. 2 illustrates a camera according to another preferred embodiment ofthe present invention in a photographing state. A camera 2 includes acamera body 21, a release button 22 and a grip 22.

The camera body 21 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape as thecamera body 11 illustrated in FIG. 1 and includes functional parts ofthe camera 2 such as a photographing optical system. The photographingoptical system is arranged such that a photographing optical axisthereof is parallel to a flat surface of the camera body 21. That is,the photographing optical axis is perpendicular to the thicknessdirection of the camera body 21 and the longitudinal direction of thecamera body 21. In photographing with the camera 2, the camera body 21is held substantially horizontal, as the incident side of thephotographing optical axis of the photographing optical system isdirected to a photographing object. The release button 22 is arranged ata right side part of an upper surface of the camera body 21, near theside surface of the camera body 21 toward the right side of thephotographer when the camera body 21 is held for photographing and theincident side of the photographing optical axis of the photographingoptical system is directed to a photographing object. The grip 23protrudes from the bottom surface of the camera body 21 downwardly alongthe right side surface of the camera body 21.

By thus arranging the grip 23, the camera body 21 is firmly held at aside edge part of the flat camera body 11 where the grip 23 protrudesdownwardly with, for example, the thumb, the middle finger, the medicalfinger and the little finger, and the release button 22 is operated bythe first finger. That is, the fingers securely holding the camera body21 using the grip 23 and the finger operating the release button 22 areseparated from each other, such that the camera body 21 is less likelyto be shaken, thereby enabling stable photographing.

Because the grip 23 illustrated in FIG. 2 protrudes downwardly relativeto the flat camera body 21, it is unwieldy when the camera 2 is carried.

FIG. 3 illustrates a camera according to another preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. A camera 2A includes a camera body 21, a releasebutton 22 and a grip 23A. The grip 23A is detachable from apredetermined part of the bottom surface of the camera body 21 asillustrated in FIG. 3, when the camera 2A is carried. Because the grip23A can be detached from the camera body 21, the portability of thecamera 2A is not compromised. Further, in photographing, by attachingthe grip 23A to the bottom surface of the camera body 21 as in the grip23 of FIG. 2, the camera body 21 can be securely held with the hand asin the camera 2, thereby reducing the likelihood of shaking whenphotographing.

When the grip 23A of FIG. 3 is detached from the camera body 21, thedetached grip 23A may be lost.

FIG. 4 illustrates a camera according to another preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, which solves such a problem. A camera 2B includesa camera body 21, and a release button and a grip 23B.

The grip 23B is rotatable around an axis line along a side edge of thecamera body 21. When the camera 2B is carried, the grip 23 b ispositioned so as to extend beside the camera body 21, and whenphotographing, the grip 23B is rotated 90 degree so as to protrudedownwardly relatively to the camera body 21, as respectively illustratedin FIG. 4. Thus, when the camera 2 is being carried, because the grip23B is flat with the camera body 21, the portability is superior, andwhen photographing, the grip 21B is rotated to protrude downwardlyrelative to the camera body 21 like the grip 23 of FIG. 2, allowing thecamera body 21 to be securely held in hand and thereby reducing thelikelihood of shaking.

Further, by providing the above-described release button 12 of FIG. 1 asa sub-release button along with the release button 22 of FIGS. 2-4, acamera becomes more adaptable to the photographing condition whilereducing the likelihood of shaking.

FIGS. 5-13 illustrate a camera 3 according to another preferredembodiment of the present invention in a photographing state. FIG. 5 isa view from the top of the camera 3 in the photographing state with adisplay part opened. FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 are a plan view of anupper surface, a left side view, a right side view, a front side view, aback side view and a bottom view of the camera 3, respectively, with thedisplay part closed, and FIG. 12 is a partial view of the upper surfaceof the camera 3 with the display part opened.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 9, the camera 3 includes a camera body 31,a sub-release button 32, a liquid crystal display (LCD) part 33, ascreen operation part 34, a mode dial 35, a main power switch 36, afinder eye-contact part 37, a battery cover 38, a zoom lever 39, a mainrelease button 40, a strobe light emitting part 41, a photographingoptical system object plane 42, a distance measuring window 43, aself-timer light emitting part/remote controller light receiving part44, and a finder window 45.

The camera 3 is an electronic or digital camera capable of converting aphotographed image into image data with a solid-state photographingelement and recording the image data in an electronic recording medium.The camera body 31 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape like thecamera body 11 of FIG. 1 and accommodates functional parts of the camera3 such as a photographing optical system including the solid-statephotographing element, e.g., a CCD element, a recording medium, e.g., aflash memory, for recording data of an image photographed by thephotographing optical system, for example. The photographing opticalsystem is arranged such that a photographing optical axis (A) isparallel to a flat surface of the camera body 31. That is, thephotographing optical axis (A) is perpendicular to the thicknessdirection of the camera body 31 and the longitudinal direction of thecamera body 31. In photographing with the camera 3, the camera body 31is held substantially horizontal, as the incident side of thephotographing optical axis (A) of the photographing optical system isdirected to a photographing object. The sub-release button 32 isarranged on a side surface of the camera body 31 corresponding with theside of the object plane of the photographing optical system. That is,the sub-release button 32 is positioned on the object side of the camerabody 31 near a right side corner thereof.

The liquid crystal display part 33 opens and closes relative to thecamera body 31 and displays a photographing view range as an electronicfinder or a photographed image after photographing to view or check thephotographed image. The liquid display part 33 may be also used fordisplaying other operating conditions of the camera 3, or another liquiddisplay part may be provided separately from the liquid display part 33exclusively for displaying the other operating conditions of the camera3. Further, instead of the liquid crystal display part 33, the camera 3may include a display part using an LED (light emitting diode), a plasmadisplay or an EL (electro-luminescence). When the liquid display part 33is opened, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 12, a display screen of theliquid display part 33 is exposed to be viewed from the outside. Whenthe liquid display part 33 is closed, the display screen closelycontacts the camera body 32 to be completely covered as illustrated inFIGS. 6-11 such that, for example, when the camera 3 is being carried,the display screen is protected against shock from the outside andprevented from being scratched or soiled. When the liquid crystaldisplay part 33 is closed, the power to the display part 33 is turnedoff, so that useless power consumption is avoided. The screen operatingpart 34 includes a plurality of buttons for various operations inreproducing and displaying recorded images on the liquid crystal displaypart 33.

The mode dial 35 is used for selecting photographing modes correspondingto various photographing conditions. The main switch 36 is used forturning on and off the power source, for example, a battery. By turningon the main switch 36, the camera 3 is ready for photographing, andreproducing and displaying photographed images. The finder eye-contactpart 37 is an eye-contact part of an optical finder system accommodatedin the camera body 31. In photographing, the photographer confirms aphotographing field view by looking in at the finder eye-contact part37. The battery cover 38 covers and opens a battery accommodation roomof the camera body 31. The zoom lever 39 is an operation part foroperating a zooming operation of the photographing optical system andpreferably that of the finder optical system cooperating with thephotographing optical system. The main release button 40 is a releasebutton used in photographing, for example, using a tripod, an objectcapable of being photographed without blurring, or in a posture notlikely to shake the camera 3.

The strobe light emitting part 41 emits a light to illuminate aphotographing object. The photographing optical system object plane 42is an object plane of the photographing optical system accommodated inthe camera body 31. The distance measuring window 43 is a lightemitting/receiving window for measuring the distance for an AF(automatic focus) control operation. The self-timer lightemitting/receiving window 44 indicates the operating conditions of aself-timer by being turned on and off when the self-timer is operated,and receives, for example, infrared rays from a remote controller whenthe remote controller is operated. The finder window 45 is provided atthe object side of the finder optical system accommodated in the camerabody 31.

The camera 3 may further include a communication device, though notillustrated, to transmit data of an image photographed by thephotographing optical system, for example, via a cable to a terminal orby wireless transmission to a remote terminal.

As in the camera 1 of FIG. 1, in photographing with the camera 3 of thisembodiment using the sub-release button 32, as illustrated in FIG. 5,the camera body 31 is held by pressing a side edge part of the flatcamera body 31 from the upper and lower sides thereof, for example, withthe thumb, the middle finger, the medical finger and the little finger,and the sub-release button 32 is operated by the first finger in thedirection along the photographing optical axis (A). Thus, the fingersholding the camera body 31 and the finger operating the sub-releasebutton 32 are separated from each other such that shaking of the camera3 in photographing hardly occurs, thereby enabling stable photographing.Further, because the operation direction of the release button 32accords with the direction of the photographing optical axis (A),shaking of the camera 31 in photographing is less likely to occur, sothat a clear photograph is obtained more easily. Moreover, asillustrated in FIG. 13, when using the liquid crystal display part 33 asan electronic finder, the operability is superior even in photographingat a low angle condition close to the ground. Thus shaking of camera 3hardly occurs even in such a low angle photographing.

In the above-described embodiments, the description has been made forelectronic or digital cameras. However, the present invention can bepracticed in a similar manner in silver-salt film cameras.

Further, the present invention can be applied to portable apparatusessuch as portable image inputting apparatuses, portable informationterminal apparatuses and portable telephone terminal apparatuses thathave a photographing optical system for photographing. The portableapparatuses may, in substantially the same manner as in the camera 3above, convert an image photographed by the photographing optical systeminto image data with a solid-state photographing element thereof andrecord the image data in an electronic recording medium and/or inputinto a computer device such as a personal computer locally via a cableor transmit over a network to a remote computer or terminal.

Therefore, according to another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, a portable apparatus includes an apparatus body formed in asubstantially flat shape. The portable apparatus includes aphotographing optical system configured to perform an operation ofphotographing a photographing object and accommodated in the apparatusbody. The photographing optical system has a photographing optical axisin a direction perpendicular to a thickness direction of the apparatusbody, and a photographing object side plane. A release button configuredto activate the photographing operation of the photographing opticalsystem when manipulated is arranged at a side surface of the apparatusbody corresponding to the photographing object side plane of thephotographing optical system.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention,a portable apparatus includes an apparatus body formed in asubstantially flat shape. The portable apparatus includes aphotographing optical system configured to perform an operation ofphotographing a photographing object and accommodated in the apparatusbody. The photographing optical system has a photographing optical axisin a direction perpendicular to a thickness direction of the apparatusbody, and a photographing object plane. A release button configured toactivate the photographing operation of the photographing optical systemwhen manipulated is arranged at an upper surface of the apparatus bodywhen the photographing optical axis of the photographing optical systemis horizontal and the photographing object side plane of thephotographing optical system is directed toward the photographingobject. A grip protrudes from a bottom surface of the apparatus bodywhen the photographing optical axis of the photographing optical systemis horizontal and the photographing object side plane of thephotographing optical system is directed toward the photographingobject. The grip may be detachable from the camera body, or rotatablyprovided to a side edge of the apparatus body, so as to be positioned bythe side of the apparatus body or to protrude downwardly relative to theapparatus body.

According to still another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, a portable apparatus includes an apparatus body formed in asubstantially flat shape. A photographing optical system configured toperform an operation of photographing a photographing object isaccommodated in the apparatus body, and a plurality of release buttonsrespectively configured to activate the photographing operation of thephotographing optical system when manipulated are provided to theapparatus body. The photographing optical system may have aphotographing optical axis in a direction perpendicular to a thicknessdirection of the apparatus body, and a photographing object side plane.The plurality of release buttons may include a first and second releasebuttons, and the first release button may be arranged at a side surfaceof the camera body corresponding to the photographing object side planeof the photographing optical system, and the second release button at anupper surface of the apparatus body when the photographing optical axisof the photographing optical system is horizontal and the photographingobject side plane of the photographing optical system is directed towardthe photographing object.

In the above-described portable apparatuses, the photographing opticalsystem may include a solid-state photographing element configured toconvert an image of the photographed object into image data. Theportable apparatuses may further include a recording device configuredto record the image data in a recording medium and a display device todisplay the image data. The apparatuses may further include acommunication device configured to transmit the image data. The data maybe transmitted to a terminal via a cable or to a remote terminal bywireless transmission.

Numerous additional modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeto be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, thepresent invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallydescribed herein.

1. A camera comprising: a camera body having a substantially flat shape;a photographing optical system configured to perform a photographingoperation and accommodated in the camera body, the photographing opticalsystem having a photographing optical axis in a direction perpendicularto a thickness direction of the camera body and a photographing objectside plane, the photographing object side plane facing an object to bephotographed when photographing; and a plurality of release buttons eachconfigured to activate the photographing operation of the photographingoptical system, at least one of the release buttons being configured tooperate along the photographing optical axis and provided on a sidesurface of the camera body corresponding with the photographing objectside plane of the photographing optical system.
 2. The camera of claim1, wherein the at least one of the release buttons is provided on aright side part of the side surface of the camera body.
 3. The camera ofclaim 1, wherein the photographing optical system includes a solid-statephotographing element configured to convert an image of an objectphotographed into image data.
 4. The camera of claim 3, furthercomprising a recording device configured to record the image data in arecording medium.
 5. The camera of claim 3, further comprising a displaydevice configured to display at least one of the image and the imagedata.
 6. The camera of claim 3, further comprising a communicationdevice configured to transmit the image data.
 7. The camera of claim 6,wherein the communication device includes a wireless transmission deviceconfigured to transmit the image data to a remote terminal by wirelesstransmission.
 8. The camera of claim 6, wherein the communication deviceincludes an interface device configured to transmit the image data to aterminal via a cable.
 9. The camera of claim 1, further comprising awireless telephone device.
 10. A camera comprising: a camera body havinga substantially flat shape; a photographing optical system configured toperform a photographing operation and accommodated in the camera body,the photographing optical system having a photographing optical axis ina direction perpendicular to a thickness direction of the camera bodyand a photographing object side plane, the photographing object sideplane facing an object to be photographed when photographing; and aplurality of release buttons each configured to activate thephotographing operation of the photographing optical system, theplurality of release buttons including a first release button configuredto operate along the photographing optical axis.
 11. The camera of claim10, wherein: the first release button of the plurality of releasebuttons is provided on a side surface of the camera body correspondingwith the photographing object side plane of the photographing opticalsystem; and the plurality of release buttons further includes a secondrelease button provided on an upper surface of the camera body, theupper surface facing upward when the photographing optical axis of thephotographing optical system is horizontal and the photographing objectside plane of the photographing optical system is directed toward theobject.
 12. The camera of claim 10, wherein the photographing opticalsystem includes a solid-state photographing element configured toconvert an image of an object photographed into image data.
 13. Thecamera of claim 12, further comprising a recording device configured torecord the image data in a recording medium.
 14. The camera of claim 12,further comprising a display device configured to display at least oneof the image and the image data.
 15. The camera of claim 12, furthercomprising a communication device configured to transmit the image data.16. The camera of claim 15, wherein the communication device includes awireless transmission device configured to transmit the image data to aremote terminal by wireless transmission.
 17. The camera of claim 15,wherein the communication device includes an interface device configuredto transmit the image data to a terminal via a cable.
 18. The camera ofclaim 10, further comprising a wireless telephone device.
 19. A cameracomprising: a camera body having a substantially flat shape;photographing means for performing a photographing operation, thephotographing means being accommodated in the camera body and having aphotographing optical axis in a direction perpendicular to a thicknessdirection of the camera body and a photographing object side plane, thephotographing object side plane facing an object to be photographed whenphotographing; and a plurality of activating means each for activatingthe photographing operation of the photographing means, at least one ofthe plurality of activating means being provided on a side surface ofthe camera body corresponding with the photographing object side planeof the photographing means so as to operate along the photographingoptical axis.
 20. A camera comprising: a substantially flat body havinga plane direction and a thickness direction, the substantially flat bodybeing thinner in the thickness direction, the plane direction beingsubstantially perpendicular to the thickness direction; photographingmeans for performing a photographing operation, the photographing meansbeing accommodated in the substantially flat body and having aphotographing optical axis substantially parallel to the plane directionof the substantially flat body; and a plurality of activating means eachfor activating the photographing operation of the photographing means,the plurality of activating means being provided on the substantiallyflat body in the plane and thickness directions, at least one of theplurality of activating means being provided so as to operate along thephotographing optical axis.
 21. A method of making a camera, comprisingthe steps of: forming the camera body having a substantially flat shape;accommodating in the camera body a photographing optical systemconfigured to perform a photographing operation such that aphotographing optical axis thereof is arranged in a directionperpendicular to a thickness direction of the camera body; and arranginga plurality of release buttons each configured to activate thephotographing operation of the photographing optical system, at leastone of the release button being configured to operate along thephotographing optical axis and provided at a side surface of the camerabody corresponding with a photographing object side plane of thephotographing optical system, the photographing object side plane facingan object to be photographed when photographing.
 22. The method of claim21, wherein the arranging step comprises arranging the at least one ofthe release buttons at a right side part of the side surface of thecamera body.
 23. A portable apparatus comprising: an apparatus bodyhaving a substantially flat shape; a photographing optical systemconfigured to perform a photographing operation and accommodated in theapparatus body, the photographing optical system having a photographingoptical axis in a direction perpendicular to a thickness direction ofthe apparatus body and a photographing object side plane, thephotographing object side plane facing an object to be photographed whenphotographing; and a plurality of release buttons each configured toactivate the photographing operation of the photographing opticalsystem, at least one of the release buttons being configured to operatealone the photographing optical axis and provided on a side surface ofthe apparatus body corresponding with the photographing object sideplane of the photographing optical system.
 24. The portable apparatus ofclaim 23, wherein the at least one of release buttons is provided on aright side part of the side surface of the apparatus body.
 25. Theportable apparatus of claim 23, wherein the photographing optical systemincludes a solid-state photographing element configured to convert animage of an object photographed into image data.
 26. The portableapparatus of claim 25, further comprising a recording device configuredto record the image data in a recording medium.
 27. The portableapparatus of claim 25, further comprising a display device configured todisplay at least one of the image and the image data.
 28. The portableapparatus of claim 25, further comprising a communication deviceconfigured to transmit the image data.
 29. The portable apparatus ofclaim 28, wherein the communication device includes a wirelesstransmission device configured to transmit the image data to a remoteterminal by wireless transmission.
 30. The portable apparatus of claim28, wherein the communication device includes an interface deviceconfigured to transmit the image data to a terminal via a cable.
 31. Theportable apparatus of claim 23, further comprising a wireless telephonedevice.
 32. A portable apparatus comprising: a substantially flat bodyhaving a plane direction and a thickness direction, the substantiallyflat body being thinner in the thickness direction, the plane directionbeing substantially perpendicular to the thickness direction; aphotographing optical system configured to perform a photographingoperation and positioned in the substantially flat body such that thephotographing optical system has a photographing optical axissubstantially parallel to the plane direction of the substantially flatbody; and a plurality of release buttons each configured to activate thephotographing operation of the photographing optical system, at leastone of the plurality of release buttons being configured to operatealong the photographing optical axis.
 33. The portable apparatus ofclaim 32, wherein: the plurality of release buttons comprises a firstand second release buttons; and the first release button of theplurality of release buttons is provided on a side surface of thesubstantially flat body corresponding with a photographing object sideplane of the photographing optical system, and the second release buttonof the plurality of release buttons is provided on an upper surface ofthe substantially flat body, the upper surface facing upward when thephotographing optical axis of the photographing optical system ishorizontal and the photographing object side plane of the photographingoptical system is directed toward the object.
 34. The portable apparatusof claim 32, wherein the photographing optical system includes asolid-state photographing element configured to convert an image of anobject photographed into image data.
 35. The apparatus of claim 34,further comprising a recording device configured to record the imagedata in a recording medium.
 36. The apparatus of claim 34, furthercomprising a display device configured to display at least one of theimage and the image data.
 37. The apparatus of claim 34, furthercomprising a communication device configured to transmit the image data.38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the communication device includesa wireless transmission device configured to transmit the image data toa remote terminal by wireless transmission.
 39. The apparatus of claim37, wherein the communication device includes an interface deviceconfigured to transmit the image data to a terminal via a cable.
 40. Theapparatus of claim 32, further comprising a wireless telephone device.41. A portable apparatus comprising: an apparatus body having asubstantially flat shape; photographing means for performing aphotographing operation, the photographing means being accommodated inthe apparatus body and having a photographing optical axis in adirection perpendicular to a thickness direction of the apparatus bodyand a photographing object side plane, the photographing object sideplane facing an object to be photographed when photographing; andplurality of activating means each for activating the photographingoperation of the photographing means, at least one of the plurality ofactivating means being provided on a side surface of the apparatus bodycorresponding with the photographing object side plane of thephotographing means so as to operate along the photographing opticalaxis.
 42. A portable apparatus comprising: a substantially flat bodyhaving a plane direction and a thickness direction, the substantiallyflat body being thinner in the thickness direction, the plane directionbeing substantially perpendicular to the thickness direction;photographing means for performing a photographing operation, thephotographing means being positioned in the substantially flat body suchthat the photographing means has a photographing optical axissubstantially parallel to the plane direction of the substantially flatbody; and a plurality of activating means each for activating thephotographing operation of the photographing means, the plurality ofactivating means being provided on the substantially flat body in theplane and thickness directions, at least one of the plurality ofactivating means being provided so as to operate along the photographingoptical axis.
 43. A method of making a portable apparatus, comprisingthe steps of: forming the apparatus body having a substantially flatshape; accommodating in the apparatus body a photographing opticalsystem configured to perform a photographing operation such that aphotographing optical axis thereof is arranged in a directionperpendicular to a thickness direction of the apparatus body; andarranging a plurality of release buttons each configured to activate thephotographing operation of the photographing optical system, at leastone of the release buttons being configured to operate along thephotographing optical axis and provided at a side surface of theapparatus body corresponding with a photographing object side plane ofthe photographing optical system, the photographing object side planefacing an object to be photographed when photographing.
 44. The methodof claim 43, wherein the arranging step comprises arranging the at leastone of the release buttons at a right side part of the side surface ofthe apparatus body.